Simlai

Rabbi Simlai (Hebrew: רבי שמלאי‎) was a talmudic rabbi who lived in Palestine in the 3rd century (second generation of amoraim).

He was born in either Lod^[1] or Babylonia.^[2] He later moved to the Galilee, where he served as an aide to Rabbi Yannai.^[3] He studied in Tzippori under Rabbi Yochanan^[4] and Hanina bar Hama.^[5] He then studied under Rabbi Judah II, the grandson of Judah haNasi. He attempted in vain to induce Judah II to abrogate the prohibition against using bread prepared by pagans.^[6] Late in life he moved to Babylonia.^[7]

He was a famous aggadist, and the calculation of 613 Mitzvot is attributed to him.^[8] According to the Palestinian tradition, he frequently debated the Christians.^[9]

References

^ Pesachim 62b
^ Pesachim 5:3
^ Bava Batra 111a
^ Yerushalmi Pesachim 5:3
^ Yerushalmi Peah 8:8
^ Avodah Zarah 37a
^ Avodah Zarah 36; Yerushalmi Shabbat 1:4
^ Abrahams, Israel (1907). Judaism (pdf). London: Archibald Constable & co. ltd. p. 28.
^ Genesis Rabbah 8:9; Yerushalmi Brachot 9:1

[1] Pesachim 62b

[2] Pesachim 5:3

[3] Bava Batra 111a

[4] Yerushalmi Pesachim 5:3

[5] Yerushalmi Peah 8:8

[6] Avodah Zarah 37a

[7] Avodah Zarah 36; Yerushalmi Shabbat 1:4

[8] Abrahams, Israel (1907). Judaism (pdf). London: Archibald Constable & co. ltd. p. 28.

[9] Genesis Rabbah 8:9; Yerushalmi Brachot 9:1

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